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https://n2v.paloaltoonline.com/square/print/2009/01/17/neighborhood-alarm-clock-chirp

Town Square

Neighborhood Alarm Clock Chirp???

Original post made by Kathy Miller, Community Center, on Jan 17, 2009

At 5:15 most mornings for the last few months, a repetitious chirping noise enters our open second-story bedroom window (we like it cool!). This alarm-ish sound continues off and on for half an hour or so. And lately we've heard it later in the morning (8:30 ish) as well (from the back yard). In our pedestrian attempts to locate the source, we've also heard the sound from Middlefield near the gate to Addison school. Has anyone else heard this or figured out what it is? THANKS! It's a mystery worthy of Nate the Great (a children's book detective)!

Signed --
Tired at 6:00 a.m. from wandering the streets looking for this noise!

Comments

Posted by Resident
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 17, 2009 at 9:35 am

My sympathies. We had a neighbor (never discovered who) who would open their back door and rattle a fork against a pet food bowl at a similar time every morning and wake us up. I suspect that this chirp is something the owner can't hear themselves and doesn't realise is waking up the neighborhood.

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Posted by anonymous
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 17, 2009 at 3:22 pm

From your description, it reminds me of something I may have heard in past. Is it like that sound that is made at some intersections to let sight-impaired people know it's ok to cross the street? I have one other idea - it may have to do with the time when some streetlights go out?

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Posted by chirp, chirp
a resident of Palo Alto Hills
on Jan 18, 2009 at 5:17 pm

I have heard it off and on for 25 years, since I have lived here. ( If it is the same noise..a kind of chirp like a small electric chirping alarm clock, but it goes for awhile, then stops, and just as you are about to go to sleep it starts again).

I used to wonder all over the house looking for whatever it was..a watch or toy fallen behind something. Then, we moved ( no, not because of the chirp!) ..and I still heard it!

I finally decided it must be some kind of bird..or squirrel noise, or something.

Pretty darn annoying, but eventually you get used to it!

good luck

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Posted by Sarah
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 18, 2009 at 5:39 pm

I'm not familiar with your specific area, but the sound could be a truck backing up. If it is always at the same time, it could be a delivery truck or garbage truck.

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Posted by Sharon
a resident of Midtown
on Jan 18, 2009 at 9:44 pm



In this economy any adult who is not up at 5.15am is a slacker.
You need to be alert before the market opens in NY and get some exercise to be on top of your game.
You should thank that person for giving you a wake up call to reality.

We are up at 5am as are our friends except on weekends, this is the norm among ambitious, productive families.
If you are a deadbeat get some earplugs.

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Posted by Resident
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Jan 18, 2009 at 10:21 pm

Hi Kathy -

Are there any crossing lights for sight impaired individuals in your area? It's just a guess to try and help. In the meantime, I have found that the squishy foam ear plugs (light green) work the best.

Sharon -

Gosh! Why do you have to be so mean? Surely, you are just kidding.
There are many people who do research and writing late at night, and sleep later in the morning. This does not mean they are slackers.

Some of the city council meetings and planning commission meetings end at midnight or (recently) 1am! These people work very hard.

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